FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 February 2017
Introduction
On Saturday, 11 February 2017, 543 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1048 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 46 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 93 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 243 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 543
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (243)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (93)
Where the complaints came from
The 543 complaints recorded on 11 February 2017 were submitted from 373 cities across 46 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 30 of the 45 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 93 | 17.1% |
| Massachusetts | 46 | 8.5% |
| Maryland | 45 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 37 | 6.8% |
| New York | 27 | 5.0% |
| Texas | 27 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 19 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 18 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 18 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 186 | 34.3% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 320 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 320 | 58.9% |
| Radio | 84 | 15.5% |
| Internet | 83 | 15.3% |
| TV | 56 | 10.3% |
Phone complaints
320 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 243 | 75.9% |
| Billing | 39 | 12.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.3% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill).
Radio complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Radio | 46 | 54.8% |
| Interference | 34 | 40.5% |
| Availability | 2 | 2.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Pirate Radio and Interference, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 41.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 16.9% |
| Availability | 10 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 57.1% |
| Availability | 11 | 19.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.